Brachycoryphus nursei (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), A parasitoid of Opisina arenosella Wlk. on coconut in Kerala, India
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Date
2007-02-08
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Abstract
The cotton boll worm parasitoid Brachycoryphus nursei (Cameron) has been observed to occasionally parasitise the prepupae and pupae of the coconut leaf eating caterpillar Opisina arenosella Wlk. in coconut gardens around Kayangulam, Kerala State. This Indo-Pakistani species of solitary ectoparasitoid shows some peculiarities in host acceptance, ovipcsition and development. It attacks the larvae, prepupae and pupae, always deposits numerous eggs on the host, eventually to produce only one individual parasitoid. Occasionally, it develops internally in the host pupae. It has high fecundity but possesses low searching ability, thereby causes only negligible percentage parastism in O. arenosella. Eggs are laid after keeping the ovipositor touching the paralysed host. Feeding on the hosts haemolymph is observed throughout the long life span of the female parasitoid. The larvae of B. nursei are cannibalistic. This parasitoid produces more female progeny than males in the field. The females are polyandrous and males are very vigorous. Method of rearing, oviposition, development and life cycle of the parasitoid are discussed.
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Keywords
opisina arenosella, coconut pests, brachycoryphus nursei, parasitoid
Citation
J.Plantn.Crops 1987 v-15 i-1 p-9-14